“OCIMF will continue to work with its Programmes Committee to incorporate industry feedback and to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of maritime operations, ensuring that SIRE 2.0 remains at the forefront of safety standards."
Director's Log
I am pleased to share that SIRE 2.0 is now live.
This represents a significant milestone for OCIMF and the maritime industry as well. The release of SIRE 2.0 ensures this industry is better equipped to identify, understand and respond to emerging issues and to resolve root-causes of risk.
OCIMF is confident that SIRE 2.0 will be truly transformative for industry. It has been rolled-out in a phased approach to ensure all parties are ready for the changes this significantly enhanced, updated and digitalised inspection regime brings. And it represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to make sure the safety of vessels, crews, cargoes and the environment are placed front-and-centre in all decision-making.
Transitioning to the new programme this week would not have been possible without the continued support and commitment of the maritime industry.
I would like to personally thank OCIMF’s Vessel Inspection Programme (VIP) project team, Steering Group and Executive Committee and Secretariat, who have worked closely with a wide range of industry partners and peers to develop this robust and rigorously tested tool. The dedication, ingenuity and collaborative spirit shown by all has been much appreciated.
My sincere gratitude also goes to all programme users, whose enthusiasm and engagement with the project during its roll-out has been crucial to its development and whose ongoing support will be vital to its future success.
I hope you will join me in celebrating this achievement. OCIMF will continue to work with its Programmes Committee to incorporate industry feedback and to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of maritime operations, ensuring that SIRE 2.0 remains at the forefront of safety standards.
Karen Davis
Director OCIMF
Celebrating the launch of SIRE 2.0: A milestone for the marine industry
OCIMF is excited to announce the successful launch of the Ship Inspection Report Programme 2.0 (SIRE 2.0) on 2 September 2024. The launch is the culmination of several years of dedicated effort, meticulous planning, and collaboration between OCIMF’s membership, Vessel Inspection Programme (VIP) project team, Secretariat, Executive Committee, industry partners and stakeholders.
The updated SIRE programme sets higher standards for safety, efficiency and environmental protection and reflects OCIMF’s commitment to fostering and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and excellence throughout industry. Reaching this milestone marks a new era in the marine industry.
The success of SIRE 2.0 would not have been possible without the support and dedication from across the maritime community. The unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and operational excellence from the OCIMF membership enriched the SIRE 2.0 programme and ensured it met the diverse needs of industry. The efforts and dedication of the VIP project team and Secretariat, past and present, have led to a smooth and successful transition.
The support of OCIMF’s industry partners and stakeholders who contributed their resources, knowledge and time has been invaluable. SIRE 2.0 inspectors, ship crews, ship operators, chartering organisations, submitting companies, marine terminals and the collaborative partnership developed with INTERTANKO have all been essential to reaching this milestone. OCIMF also extends its thanks to the hard work of The Nine Software Company, MIS Marine, Vokhus Ltd. and Navigate PR.
The commitment shown by OCIMF’s industry partners and stakeholders to the phased approach and their participation in trial inspections are appreciated and have been instrumental in shaping SIRE 2.0 into the comprehensive and effective programme it is today.
OCIMF is proud to introduce SIRE 2.0’s robust framework, designed to enhance the quality and consistency of tanker inspections worldwide and is committed to continuously refining the programme, incorporating feedback, and adapting to the evolving landscape of maritime operations.
A final thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of the SIRE 2.0 launch. OCIMF is looking forward to working together to ensure the SIRE programme remains a benchmark for safety and quality in the years to come.
For more information, contact Aaron Cooper, OCIMF Programmes Director, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
New Quality Assessor joins OCIMF
OCIMF is pleased to welcome Jenny Long as Quality Assessor. 
Jenny is on a three-year secondment from BP Shipping, where her most recent role was Marine Advisor on the Assessment and Inspection team. Jenny has acted as Alternate Qualified Individual and Incident Commander, managing incident calls from the BP-operated fleet and third-party vessels on charter to BP. Previously, she worked in the BP voyage operations team as a Ship Operator and Voyage Operations Superintendent.
Jenny holds a Lloyds Register QMS Lead Auditor Certificate and a degree in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University.
Maritime security snippets
Threats in the Red Sea
Members will be acutely aware of increased tension in the Red Sea and threats towards merchant vessels. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) provides “ground truth” reports on incidents and a useful weekly dashboard. This information can be found here.
Crisis Welfare Support for Seafarers
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has put together a Crisis Welfare Support Poster with the most up-to-date information on support helplines and other resources for seafarers. The poster is free to download here.
For further information on any security related matter please contact Russell Pegg, OCIMF Security Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein! or send a representative along to the next online Maritime Security Committee meeting on 19 September.
Claus Winter Graugaard
OCIMF was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Claus Winter Graugaard. 
OCIMF worked with Claus at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, developing common interests in the energy transition, new fuels and decarbonisation. The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center has published a tribute to Claus Winter Graugaard.
We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Inland barging news
OCIMF was in the Rotterdam area for meetings and events in August.
Barge Adviser Ton Mol (right) and new P&A Director Darron Biddle (second from right) at the Green Award office in Rotterdam.
Barge Adviser Ton Mol and outgoing Publications and Advocacy (P&A) Director Saurabh Sachdeva took the opportunity to introduce OCIMF's new P&A Director, Darron Biddle. OCIMF gave a presentation at the barge forum organised by IMT at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Rotterdam, as well as visiting the offices of Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland (KBN), Green Award and IVR, the training and simulation centre Transafe/Simwave and the operator VT-Group. OCIMF would like to thank everyone for their hospitality and time.
OCIMF met with its North American barging group in Chicago from 12 to 16 August.
OCIMF's North America barging members met in Chicago.
A full week of meetings was planned with the working group revising the North American Barge Inspection Questionnaire (BIQ), hosted by John Quagliano at the BP office. On 15 August, the group joined the American Waterway Operators (AWO) forum, at which OCIMF gave a presentation on the worldwide barging industry.
South and Central American members came together in Buenos Aires from 5 to 9 August.
South and Central America barging members in Buenos Aires.
The working group revising the South and Central America BIQ met at the offices of YPF to continue their work, which is currently on schedule. The group will meet again in Asuncion, Paraguay in October. Thanks to YPF for their hospitality.
For more information, contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
Meeting reports
Barge Expert Group
11th meeting: 8 August 2024 (virtual)
Lead: Bjorn Ternoey (TotalEnergies)
Co-Lead: Lanny Mason (Marathon Petroleum)
Secretary: Ton Mol (OCIMF Barge Adviser)
The Barge Expert Group's second meeting of the year was held online and was well attended by 19 members. OCIMF’s new Publications and Advocacy Director Darron Biddle was introduced to the group. Updates were given by the leads of the regional barging groups about their activities in the last six months. The group plans to hold four meetings in 2025.
Next meeting: January 2025 (TBC)
For any queries, contact Ton Mol, OCIMF Barge Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
Structures Expert Group
12th Meeting: 19 August 2024 (virtual)
Lead: Jeff Bayham (ExxonMobil)
Co-lead: Gerard Spaan (Shell)
Secretary: Filipe Santana (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)
The 12th meeting of the Structures Expert Group (SEG) included active discussions and updates on current projects, as well as planning for future initiatives. The group reviewed publications in progress, which are being developed through internal collaborations as well as through external partnerships with PIANC, British Standards, SIGTTO, and ISO.
The SEG completed the following publication reviews:
- Recommendations for Oil and Chemical Tanker Manifolds and Associated Equipment
- Transfer of Personnel by Crane between Vessels
SEG’s upcoming reviews:
- Recommendations for Liquefied Gas Carrier Manifolds
- Safe Access on Ships with Exposed or Raised Deck Structures
The SEG is also planning the revision of the Guidelines for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Multi Buoy Moorings (MBM), scheduled start on Q4/2024.
For enquiries, contact Filipe Santana, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
Engineering Expert Group
11th meeting: 23 August 2024 (virtual)
Lead: Ahmer Saeed (Shell)
Secretary: Filipe Santana (OCIMF Engineering Adviser)
The 11th Engineering Expert Group (EEG) meeting featured productive discussions on ongoing projects and set the course for upcoming initiatives.
Publications: The EEG continues to make strides in several key areas. Updates were provided on the Safety Critical Equipment and Spare Parts Guidance information paper review. The group supported a recommendation for a revision to the paper, pending approval from the P&A TBT Committee. The EEG explored new collaborative efforts, including a review of the Recommendations for Liquefied Gas Carrier Manifolds.
Advocacy: A major point of discussion was the EEG's involvement in the IMO Correspondence Groups on the Safety of Alternative Fuels and Regulatory Frameworks. Volunteers were confirmed for attending the upcoming intersessional working group meeting on alternative fuels, which is scheduled to take place at IMO HQ in September. The EEG will continue to contribute to these critical areas, ensuring that OCIMF’s perspectives are well-represented.
Members collaboration: The EEG discussed the ongoing review of SGMF’s Methanol Bunkering draft guidelines. There was also a discussion on using hot work habitats to minimize tank degassing, with members agreeing to assess this through OCIMF’s Risk Advisory Function (RAF). A working group was formed to take this initiative forward.
For enquiries, contact Filipe Santana, OCIMF Engineering Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
IMO and regulatory news
August marks a break from the various IMO Committee and Subcommittee meetings, but also an opportunity to evaluate and prepare for the sessions to come before the year end. Outlined below is a selection of relevant regulatory developments as well as meetings that are planned for the near future.
Seafarer welfare: Maritime Labour Convention – key amendments
- The following amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) enter into force on 23 December 2024:
- Recruitment agencies to ensure that seafarers are informed of their rights under the system of financial protection and compensation.
- Member and Flag States to actively facilitate the repatriation of abandoned seafarers.
- Internet access to be provided on board for recreation and social connectivity, as far as reasonably practicable.
- Appropriately sized personal protective equipment, particularly for women.
Marine fuels standard ISO 8217:2024
The seventh edition of ISO 8217 standard was published earlier this year and addresses a variety of fuel and fuel grades commercially available today in response to legislation around environmental pollution and GHG emissions. Notable revisions include specifications for biofuels, particularly Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) up to 100%. Also included in the 2024 standard is a table for various grades of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), which includes a requirement for fuel stability testing and reporting.
Upcoming IMO meetings
- 1st Intersessional Working Group on safety of ships using alternative fuels (ISWG-AF1): 9–13 September. Discussions towards finalising respective guidelines for ships using hydrogen and ammonia as fuel.
- 3rd ISWG on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships: 9–13 September.
- 10th Subcommittee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 10): 16–20 September. ISWG-AF1 to report to CCC 10. Other discussions of importance include the revised IMO enclosed space entry guidance.
- 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82): 30 September to 4 October. Technical discussions on mid-term GHG measures, marine fuel lifecycle assessment framework to take place during ISWG-GHG 17 the previous week and reported to MEPC 82.
Pre-reads for significant meetings will be issued in due course. For any enquiries, please contact Abhijit Aul, OCIMF Risk and Regulatory Affairs Adviser, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.